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Mental wellbeing - Auckland Council Social and Community Development Forum

Presentation on flourishing, mental health promotion and opportunities for Auckland Council to promote welbeing in the community, to Auckland Council Social and Community Development Forum, 26 February 2013.

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‘The goal of liveability expresses our shared desire tocreate a city where all people can enjoy a high quality oflife…’ (Auckland Plan pg 18)‘Directive 1.7: Reduce health inequalities and improve thehealth of all Aucklanders.’ (Auckland Plan pg 84)‘A fair, safe and healthy Auckland.’ (Auckland Council Community Outcomes -2.2.2 LTP)

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Mental health hard facts The facts• 47% of New Zealanders will experience a mental illness and/or an addiction at some time in their lives, with one in five people affected within one year.• Younger people have a higher prevalence of disorder in the past 12 months and are more likely to report having ever had a disorder by any particular age.• Females have a higher prevalence of anxiety disorder, major depression and eating disorders than males, whereas males have substantially a higher prevalence for substance use disorders than females.• Prevalence is higher for people who are disadvantaged and for Maori and Pacific• People with a mental disorder are more likely to be physically unwell and vice versa

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Our Recommended Approach• The Mental Health Foundation recommends the adoption of a flourishing or ‘positive mental health and wellbeing’ objective as part of Auckland Council’s work – initially as part of its community development strategy.• ‘Thriving Communities’ submission: This council’s approaches and actions in community and social development will demonstrate and support strategies to increase flourishing or positive mental health and wellbeing in the Auckland population.

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New Model of Mental Health• A model is needed that incorporates evidence-based positive mental health• Flourishing: - Having a high level of psychological health - Actualizing potential - Building resilience - Quality of life perceived as high

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Research in Support of FlourishingA study by Corey-Keyes (2007) found that flourishing Individuals have:• fewest missed days of work• healthier psychosocial functioning• lowest risk of cardiovascular disease• lowest number of chronic physical diseases• fewest limitations during daily activities• lower health care utilisation

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Why a flourishing approach for Council? y • The Mental Health Foundation believes that positive health outcomes have been a direct focus for various legacy Councils in Auckland Council: – Waitemata City Council was an important partner in the Wellbeing Waitakere movement – Manukau City Council was involved in a Healthy Cities initiative – there has also been a public health position recently in Council • Auckland Council staff have also initiated or contributed to projects such as refugee health, domestic and sexual violence work, diversity and inclusion programmes - all of which have been crucial in achieving positive mental health outcomes

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A flourishing strategy would:• make explicit the objective of mental health promotion as a key part of the Council’s work• promote new information on the importance of positive mental health• increase community knowledge on how to improve their own sense of wellbeing, and• reinforce that knowledge with activities that have the ability to create behavioural changeIn terms of community outcomes, a flourishing strategy will:• Enhance individual and community control• Increase resilience and community assets• Facilitate participation and promote inclusion

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Council Models• MHF is discussing flourishing strategies with the Christchurch City Council• There are a range of local government and health organisations in the United Kingdom which are implementing flourishing strategies• Liverpool City Council organised a Year and now a Decade of Health and Wellbeing‘The Decade of Health and Wellbeing is for everybody and everyone can join in. Think how you, your family,your business or your community can build the five ways to wellbeing into your daily life. Think too about howyou could become involved to make a difference to yourself and your city. To support better health andwellbeing we will encourage everyone to review how they can contribute to these important goals: Giving every child the best start in life, supporting our young families. Enabling everyone to maximise their potential and have control over their lives. Creating good jobs and a healthy standard of living. Building healthy and green homes and communities. Preventing illness – being well.’(Liverpool City Council http://liverpool.gov.uk/leisure-parks-and-events/Events/healthandwellbeing/)

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Recommendations:The MHF recommends that the Auckland Council:• Set up a ‘wellbeing’ working group in the community development section of Auckland Council to consider research, evidence and promising practices in promoting flourishing in order to contribute to Council strategy – NGO participation• Develop ‘partnerships’ with Council policy and community development staff• Raise public awareness of 5 ways to wellbeing• Review current community development work and opportunities to include the flourishing approach• Develop ways to measure the level of flourishing enjoyed by Auckland residents over time